Feed trough



Sept.7,1948. C. E. ERICKSON Em 2,448,707,

' FEED 'mouarf Filed Aug. 50, 1945 mi V;

Patented Sept. 7, 1948 i` FEED TROUGH y Carl E. Erickson and Frederick Zufelt, Northfield, Minn., assignors to Northfield Iron Company, Northfield, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application August 30, 1943, Serial No. 500,468

Our invention relates to an improvement in feed trough, wherein it is desired to provide a feed trough formed of sheet material and held in place by the interlocking of the various elements.

vide a pair of flat panels arranged in V formation,'

and tomaintain these panels in proper relationship by means of end partition walls intersecting the planes of the trough forming panels. These end'partition walls are arranged to interlock with the panels forming the trough to hold these elements properly assembled. Intermediate partition Walls canV likewise be provided if desired to "further reinforce the trough forming panels and maintain them in proper relationship. Y, These intermediate partition walls preferably intersect the planesof the trough forming panels at substantially right angles. v

A further feature of the present invention lies in theprovision of a pair of panels arranged in V "formation and supported by intersecting end partition walls, and in providing a angestrip ,projecting inwardly from each opposed upper panel edge.' These flange strips are interlocked l.with the end partition wallsand with any inter- 4mediate partition walls employed andact not only ,to preventmaterial withinthe trough from being easily rspilled therefrom, but also` to hold the trough forming panels interlocked with` the parti.-

tion walls. l -A further feature of the invention lies in providing an eccentric'ally mounted tumble bar above the trough,v and in the novel manner of 4attaching thisl tumble .bar to the end walls of thetrough.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the factfthatthe end partition walls intersect the trough formingpanels in such amanner as to,e."itend.below` the same toform a standard. Not only do these end partition walls extend between theY trough forming panels to form a closure for the ends of the trough, but also thesewalls project below the trough to formv a base to supe port thev trough. The intermediate partition walls, when used, may likewise extend belowthe level of the Vtrough to `,form an intermediate standard. u f l HA further feature of the present invention` lies in the particular .use of the interlocking slots in the trough forminglmemberaand in the partition wallaso that these elements may intersect 5 oiaims. (c1. 11s- 61) vtionthereoff. v

modified form. of `construction v 2 one another without seriously weakening either the trough or the partition walls; l

These and other objects and novel features Vol.' our invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of our specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of our troughembodying the invention.` I

Figure V2 is an end elevational View ofthe trough.` Figure 3 is a diagrammatic View of oneiof the end' partitions illustrating the construction thereof.4 I

`Figure 4 is a diagrammatic View of one ofthe flange. forming strips to prevent material from Within the trough from easily spilling'out the same.v I

y Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view` of one of the trough forming members showing the construcl Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view Vof the 4:other trough forming member showing the construe,- tion thereof. 'i

Figure 'l is a top plan view of the trough showingthemanner in which the tumble bar-'is attachedthereto. Y I

Figure 8 is a view similarv to VFigure 7 showing` a of the tumble bar support.V p I I Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure?, showing a partition wall of a slightly different construction from that shown in Figure 3.

`The trough A is constructed as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The trough A comprises vtwo trough forming members III andl I I formed invV relation. Asbest illustrated jin `Figure 2 cf the drawings the member IIJ is slightly wider than the member II so that an Aedge of the member II abuts against the lower margin of the member I0. `The members I0and II and allof the remaining-elements of the trough, with `the `exception of the tumble bar,y 'may be formedof flat sheet material, such as pressed composition board, ply-wood, fiber, plastic,'or any other suitable material. Y Material such as pressed composition board has been used with particularly beneficial elfects V e .I

` A pair of spaced` endpartition walls I2are arranged to intersect the planes of thev members IU and I I i at substantially right angles thereto. In order to effect this interlocking arrangementgthe end partition Walls I2 are provided with angularly arranged slots I3 and` I4 which extend inwardly and downwardly fromthe side'edges I5 and-I6, respectively, of thepartition Wall membersA I2. These slots I3 and I4 extend substantially onehalf the distance Vfrom the openends of the slots to the yvertexof the V, formedbythe member'sf-IO and I-I. L Theseslotsfl3` and I lare designed to berf. |01' shown in dotted outline.

embrace portions of the trough forming members and I If in; a, manner which will be later describedindetail.

The trough forming member Ill, best illustrated in Figure of the drawings, is providedi 5 with a pair of spaced slots I1 therein extending. in parallel relationship and parallel to the ends of the member. The slots |1:extend-'substantially one-half of the distance from one longitudinal edge of the member I0 to the opposite edge there- 10 of. These slots |1 are designed to embrace the portions of the partition walls I2; lying between the bases of the slots I3 and I4 and the vertex of the trough. In other words, the slots |1 are designed to embrace the area I 9 of each partition l5 -wallA I2 outlined in Figure' of the drawingsby the dotted outline. Simultaneously the slotsV I3 `embrace the area lof the trough formingmemw Obviously the outlined areas |9'and 12B do notA illustrate hidden 20 parts, but merely define areasembracedby the cooperating slots.

Thefttrough forming member` isprovided with a pair of slots 2|, which-are spacedfapart atdistanceequal to `the spacing of theslots I1. 25

These slots 2| extend substantially one-half of :the-distance through the member II, extending `paral1el-`toeach other.v and to the ends ofthe member |I. These slots 2| embrace an area 22, indicated: in dotted outline in--Figure 3 of the 30 drawings. Similarly the slots It of the partition wallsflfzembrace areas23"of the member II, indicated in dotted outline in Figure 6 of the drawings.` Thuswhen thefmembery is in'place, it

isintersected` by the partition walls I2" which 35 form the end closures of the troughA'. Tilting ofthe-wall |12, relative to either the member I0 -orthe' member l| Iis preventedk bythe interlock'- ing arrangement illustrated.

- One or-'more =intermediate `partitionY walls Ztl i .40

maybeprovidedf between the end partitomwalls I2. Each intermediate partition wall 24is identical-Ywith the end'partition walls l2, with the 'exception that the intermediate partitionY 211 does not extend as high above the trough as dothe 45 `Wallswl`2ffwhen` atumble barfis provided. The

tumble -bary is preferably supported bythe end partition walls I2, making it sometimes desirable to-wterminate the intermediate partitions 24 be- .mw-,the-ievei of thisvbar. 50

' The intermediate partition wall `2li is provided withfs`lots='|3 and I4, identical with those' of the endpartitionwalls I2. As the slot arrangement offi the` intermediatepartitions 24 isv identical withdthat of the endpartitions I2,I these slots @5 have not been illustrated in detail.

l. kThe trough" member I0 is provided.k with an intermediate notchv 25 therein,l parallel-to and similar1in construction to the slots |1 therein. Y Aslot25-is=providedin themember lil'for-each G0 intermediate partition wall 2d, it being: understood that these slots 25 interlock with the par-- titions 24 in the manner previously described insconjunction with the end partitions I2.l The trough "member ||-is likewise lprovided with a 65 slot .261therein, parallel to and spaced from, the slots=2|. The slot 26 is identical tov the slots 2| andiacts;toA interlock with the intermediate partition-.24 in` the same manner thatthe-slots 2| interlock;v withlthe `end .partitions |2.' '70 Whenused'as-a feed. trough, the trough A may befprovided :with a rotatable eccentrically mounted -tumble bar which prevents fowl lor animals usingtheftroughfrom entering the same.

As fbest illustrated .infFigureslL and.7 of `the 75 drawings, this tumble bar may be formed of a multisided stickv of wood or other? material 21 of a length somewhat' shorterl thanfthe distance between the end partition Walls |2. A pin, such as a nail or the like, indicated by the numeral 29 is provided in one end of the tumble bar 21, projecting therefrom at a point oiset from the axis of the bar. This nail or pin 29 extends through anopening 30 in one end partition I2. The nail or pin 29 projects from the end of the tumble bar a distance sufcient to just extend throughfthe partition I2 and to freely support the tumble rod for rotation when the pin or nail is headed, this head 29 is of a size to t within the hole S0 to permit the nail to be removed therefrom.

A second pin or nail 3| projects fromtheopposite end of the tumble rod 21 andisliof sumcient length to extend through the adjacentfend partition I2. When this pinor nailisheaded, the head is of a size to t through'theopening 3D.. The nail 3|, however, projects fromlthe tumble rod 2l' adistance considerably greater thandoes the nail 29, due to the? factthatthe tumble rod 21 is somewhat shorterthanfthe distance between the end 'partitionsiIZL This# length of projection of the nail 3| is sui-cienttoupermit the tumble rod 21 to be moved'longitudinally until the nail 2S is entirely disengaged from its cooperable opening 30. By thus disenga'gingfone end of the tumble rod21, swinging-the free 'end thereof upwardly and then disengaging the-lnail SI'from its opening SII', the tumblefrod'-21" may be removed at will. The headsof Athe nailslor -pins 29 and 30 norm'ally'prevent the tumbler'od 21 from accidentally slippingv outof i place;

The nail 3| projects eccentrically with respect to'ithe axis of thee bar- 21, and--ispreferably "arranged on the side ofthe axis opposite that "from which the nail 29 projects. Thus'tliebar21is eccentri-cally mounted to rotate'instantlyJ upon contact. This construction tends to prevent chickens from roosting on the bar4 211" In Figure 8 of the drawings we`discl'ose'.' a modified form of construction of tumble bar' attachment. In this construction thetum'ble'rod 21 is of alength rto fitv freely betweenthe end partitions- I2, or between an endI partition'and an intermediate partitionl 24; but is'notl of su'- cient length to permit any considerable'longi'- tudinal movement of the bar4 32. rAccordingly in detaching this bar, one or both'ofatheen'd partitions |2- are bent'or flexed until'oneof the pins or nails 33, holding the tumble bar. in'place is vfree from `its opening 30 in the vendpartition wall. Thus the natural resiliencev of'fth'e-material forming'the end partitions is utilized'in`at taching or detaching the tumble bar 'from' place. The pin'so'r nails Salmay or may not'b'ejheaded.

In order to prevent material within-"the trough from being easily spilled "therefrom during use', we provide flange-strips 34' extending'inwardly inl'opposed relation from the upper edges 'of "the members Il] and In order tosupport-the strips 34,- we provide opposed slots 35'iextendihg inwardly in alignment from the opposite sides I5 andv I6 vofthe end partitions I2,v as best illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3.0i the'drawings.l The slots 35 are preferably positionediimmediately above the outer extremities of the slotsJ |3tand '|13' aslnoted in Figure-3 of thedrawings; The at Harigev strips 34,' illustrated inl outline in Figure Ll-ofthe drawings, are then-forcedim Wardly from the upper edges of the members' ||l and II. The flange strips 34 are preferably so arranged as to hold the trough members I0 and II interlocked. An examination of Figure 2 of the drawings will disclose the fact that the strips 34 block the path of the members I0 and II so that these members can not be disengaged from the various partition walls While the strips 34 are in place.

The various interlocking slots illustrated are preferably of but slightly greater width than the lthickness of the members I0 and II, so that the interlocking elements fit rmly in place. For this reason we have found that material such as pressed composition board is advantageous for use in the construction of our trough, as this material is usually provided with a very smooth surface and a relatively rough surface. The rough surface is capable of compressing slightly in interlocking the various elements, and this roughened surface tends to hold the various elements interlocked. At the same time the smooth surface of the material provides an effective lining or inner surface for the trough.

In Figure 9 of the drawings lwe disclose a partition wall construction of a shape somewhat different than that illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. The partition member 36 may take the place lof either the end .partitions I2, or the intermediate partition 24, or both of these partitions. The partition mem-- ber 3S comprises a triangularly shaped body having slots 3'I and 39 therein which correspond to `the slots I3 and I4 of the wall I2. The wall 36 is also equipped with opposed slots I4I), identical with the slots 35 previously described. An aperture lIII may be provided in the upper end of the partition if it is so desired, and intermediate partitions may be made identical to the partition 36 illustrated, with the exception that the upper point of the triangular body may be cut off if desired.

The partition Wall 36 differs from the partition walls I2 and 24 in that the side edges of the partition 36 extend at a considerable `angle to the vertical throughout the entire length. As a result the trough supported by the partition walls 36 is provided with a wider base, and accordingly will not tip over as easily as the previously described trough.

In accordance with the patent statutes, We have described the principles of construction and operation of our trough, and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, we desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. A trough comprising a pair of panels arranged in V formation with the longitudinal edge of one panel abutting the marginal edge of the other panel, substantially parallel partition Walls intersecting said panels, said partition walls having slots therein extending from opposed edges thereof toward the vertex of the V formed by said panels, said panels including slots extending from said one longitudinal edge toward the opposite longitudinal edge thereof, said slots in said panels embracing portions of said partition walls and said slots in said partition walls embracing Iportions of -said panels, and a pair of flanges supported by said partition Walls, each flange of said pair engaging a corresponding panel to look each of said panels in contacting relation.

2. A trough comprising a pair of panels arranged in substantially V formation and in contacting relation along one longitudinal edge of each panel, a partition lwall means intersecting said panels, said partition wall Imeans including slots extending from opposite sides thereof toward the vertex of the V formed by said panels, said slots embracing porti-ons of said panels, and said panels having slots extending from said one longitudinal edge thereof toward the opposite longitudinal edge, said slots embracing portions of said partition Wall means, and separate flanges supported by said partition wall means extending inwardly from said other longitudinal edges of said panels, said flanges holdin-g said panels interengaged with said partition -wall means.

3. A trough comprising a pair of panels arranged in V formation, intersecting partition walls intersecting said panels; said partition Walls including slots extending from opposed sides thereof toward the vertex of the V formed by said panels, said slots embracing portions of said panels, said panels including slots extending from said one longitudinal edge of said panels toward the opposite longitudinal edge thereof, said last named slots embracing portions of said partition walls, opposed inwardly extending slots in said partition walls terminating adjacent the ends of said slots embracing said portions of said panels, and flange forming strips in said opposed slots forming inwardly extending flanges in the upper extremities of said trough forming walls.

4. A trough construction including a pair of panels arranged in trough formation, a pair of opposed end partition walls secured at the ends of said trough, a rotatable tumbler bar, and eccentric pins projecting from the opposite ends of said bar and supported by said opposed end walls, one of said eccentric pins projecting from said bar in diametrically opposite relation with respect to the axis of the bar to the other of said pins.

5. A trough `comprising a pair of panels arranged in V formation and substantially joining along one longitudinal edge of each panel, partition walls intersecting said panels, said partition walls having slots therein extending from opposed edges thereof toward the vertex of the V formed by said panels, said panels including slots extending from said one longitudinal edge toward the opposite longitudinal edge thereof, said slots in said .panels embracing portions of said partition walls and said slots in said partition walls embracing portions of said panels, and strip means supported by said partition walls extending along the free edges of said panels to lock said panels in place.

CARL E. ERICKSON. FREDERICK L. ZUFELT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 123,012 Goss Jan. 23, 1872 1,202,985 Fogg Oct. 31, 1916 1,313,948 Maegly Aug. 26, 191-9 1,500,343 Southard July 8, 1924 1,565,737 Hampton et al. Dec. 15, 1925 1,826,277 Ericson Oct. 6, 1931 1,862,217 Gay et al. June '7, 1932 2,032,978 Ferguson Mar. 3, 1936 2,092,155 Hackett Sept. 7y 1937 

